Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

Project Description

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

Mission

The aim of the foundation is to promote a partnership of humanity through various programs that promote a sustainable and equitable society. Every program is created with the goal of enhancing the capacity of families, individuals and organisations.

Headquarters

Headquarters are located in Michigan in the United States. Operational offices are located in London, UK, and Johannesburg, South Africa.

Operating region

Supported causes

• Afterschool care for children
• Savings for children
• Civic Participation
• Community foundations
• Freshwater ecosystems
• Sustainable development
• Michigan and the Flint area

Grants/award programs

The Mott Foundation makes grants available throughout the United States and in selected countries abroad. Prospective benefactors should review the foundation’s mission, geographic range and supported causes. Grants are not awarded to individuals, in aid of religious activities, or for scholarships. Grants are generally in the range of US$100,000, most being between US$15,000 and US$250,000 and in aid of the following areas:
• Civil society
• Education
• Environment
• Exploratory and special projects
• Flint Area

Funded Organizations/Projects

A total of US$22,130,737 was awarded through 166 grants to benefactors in South Africa between 2011 and 2016. Grants include:Rural Legal Trust – Between 2012 and 2015 the foundation contributed US$240,000 to the trust’s Advice Office Programme under the Civil Society umbrella. The trust is instrumental in providing legal assistance to individuals and families that live in rural areas in South Africa, and have issues with their rights being violated.Community Law and Rural Development Centre – A sum of US$100,000 was granted to this organisation in aid of their needs for advice office training and support in 2013. The centre was established to empower rural communities in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal in South Africa to help improve economic and social development. The grant helped to support advice offices in becoming independent.Southern Africa Trust – US$145,000 was given to the trust between 2012 and 2015 for the Change4ever Campaign. The trust was founded to support civil society organisations in South Africa and the Change4ever Campaign was established with the aim of raising awareness about poverty. The grant helped the trust with several initiatives, like hosting a fundraising dinner that raised funds to help poverty stricken communities.Ikahla Trust – US$150,000 was granted to the trust for general purposes in 2012. The Ikahla Trust provides small grants to community projects that include helping HIV/AIDS patients and orphans, and entrepreneurial ventures with the aim of community development.

Foundation’s History

The C.S. Mott Foundation was founded in 1926 by Stewart Mott who was an automotive pioneer, philanthropist, and also the 55th mayor of the City of Flint in Michigan, US. Mott has a long history of philanthropy that started when he founded a camp and several medical and dental clinics for the local children. He also co-established several non-profit organisations that continue to operate today, like the Boy Scouts, the YMCA and Whaley Children’s Centre. The Mott Foundation was founded in response to the increased needs of Flint’s growing population. The initial focus was on the wellbeing of the local communities, but has since grown to include several countries.